BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — Five-year-old Tristan and his mom Carolyn Bell enjoyed a beautiful day on their front porch Friday, but it’s not because they had a choice.

They have no power, and they couldn’t get out because a massive tree fell across their driveway.

Power crews worked hard Friday to get rid of the tree to make way for a new power pole.

“We heard the winds and rain and thunder and lightning, and it was really loud,” Bell said. “I quite frankly thought we might be getting a tornado. So we got up and we looked out and heard this big boom, and a white flash.”

She can laugh about it now, because her home was spared, but not by much.

“If it had fallen this way, it would have taken my front porch out,” Bell said.

Her neighbor, Michael Roarch, is just as fortunate.

“If this is going to happen, it was the best possible outcome for everybody,” Roard said.

Going without power for a while is nothing compared to what could have happened.

“I’ve been watching since six [Friday] morning when they first arrived on the scene,” Bell said. “It’s been amazing what they can do in such a short period of time. It really is remarkable.”

Bell says the tree that fell is on city property, and that city crews will clear the alley once power crews are finished.

For now, Tristan is getting a real life lesson on what a storm can do.